Freedman relishing Ipswich test

Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman is excited to see how his side fare against promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town this weekend.

A win for the Tractor Boys would almost guarantee them a play-off place, while Forest will look to build on an excellent display at Blackburn last weekend.

And, after a positive week on the training ground, Freedman is relishing the trip to Portman Road.

The manager told Forest Player: “I’m really excited to go to a team that’s still fighting to get promotion and to see us put ourselves against it.

“There’s no way I’ll be going down there and taking it easy. For any travelling fans, I’m telling them to expect a tough game, but one which we’ll put everything we have into winning.

“There’s no need to change too much this week because we’ve had a nice week at the training ground. It’s been good weather and I’ve enjoyed getting my point across to the players.”

Forest’s Under 21s were crowned league champions earlier this week and Freedman, who has given first-team opportunities to the likes of Tyler Walker and Oliver Burke in recent matches, is thrilled the club is beginning to build a winning mentality.

Freedman said: “Our academy is working fantastically well. We are producing players and you’ve got a manager who has absolutely no problem putting them in when they’re ready.

“I involve two or three Under 21s in training every day but it’s nice for them to achieve something as a group, and to have the winning mentality coming into my group.”